Fight card coming to Houma

Sunday

Mar 17, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 17, 2013 at 12:28 AM

Justin "Ironman" Verdin has been instrumental in bringing mixed martial fights to the area.

Brent St. GermainSports Editor

Justin "Ironman" Verdin has been instrumental in bringing mixed martial fights to the area.But on Saturday, Verdin will be bringing back something that is close to his heart — professional boxing.In Ya Face Fight Productions will present an eight-fight card "Revenge of the Titans" at the Evergreen Cajun Center, 4694 West Main St. in Houma. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the fight card scheduled to start at 7 p.m.Verdin said the fight card will be special one as professional boxer and Houma native Morgan "Big Chief" Fitch will be returning to Terrebonne Parish. The 29-year-old fighter moved to Pennsylvania six years ago to pursue a professional boxing career and has amassed an 8-0 record."It's good to have someone coming back home to fight in front of his family and friends," Verdin said. "He has been on a fantastic streak with an 8-0 record. I was there at some point, and now it is his turn to be in the spotlight."Fitch is scheduled to fight William Waters of Atlanta in one of the card's co-main events.Having an opportunity to fight in his hometown is something that excites Fitch, a 168-pound super middleweight. "I don't want to get too excited and not put on the performance I want to put on," Fitch said in a previous interview. "I try not to let the pressure get on me. I am ready to come back home and make a statement to let people see why I moved."Saturday's other co-main event will feature Quantis Graves of New Orleans against an opponent to be determined.The fight card will also feature three fighters making their professional debuts and a rematch that Verdin is looking forward to. During a September fight in New Orleans, Verdin lost to Marvin Clay by a decision.Verdin said he will be ready for Saturday's rematch. "It's going to be a rematch against Clay, so that's why we are calling it ‘Revenge of the Titans,' " Verdin said. "I'm very excited to have a chance to get back in the ring, and I have been training hard with Martin Verdin for this fight. He has been pushing me pretty hard, but I am ready to go and put on a good show."Verdin is 11-2 as a professional fighter.General admission tickets for Saturday's fight card are $30. To purchase tickets, call Extreme Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing at 873-5722.Verdin said he will also be putting on a youth fighting card on April 6 at the Williams Avenue Gym in Houma. The event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and is a fund-raiser for the fighters to compete in the 13th Annual Ringside World Tournament, scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2 in Kansas City. "We are going to try and compete in as many tournaments as we can until that time to prepare for the tournament," Verdin said "It's going to give us a chance to compete against teams from around the world."